Tyron Woodley is all-in on Gable Steveson, declaring the Olympic gold medalist a future UFC heavyweight champion who could already threaten current titleholder Tom Aspinall.
Steveson, a 2020 Olympic freestyle heavyweight gold medalist, is 3-0 in professional MMA and signed a UFC deal after three fights. The 25-year-old is scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during International Fight Week.
“Gable Stevenson will become heavyweight champion,” Woodley said. “He can do it this year if he wants to. Tom Aspinall will get tortured by Gable right now. Tom looked sloppy against Ciryl Gane before he got poked in the eye.”
Steveson has also been active outside the UFC, with a bout booked against Alexandr Romanov at RAF 09 on May 30 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, with the event streaming on FOX Nation. Woodley pointed to Steveson’s attributes and mentality as reasons for his confidence.
“Gable has got powerful hands. All his fights are finishes. He has crazy wrestling, crazy athletic ability. He’s hungry. You think he's still happy about losing the NCAA championship in the last three seconds? Hell no. I don't see a matchup in the UFC now at heavyweight that he does not win.”
Steveson has been training under the guidance of Jon Jones as he prepares for his upcoming schedule and eventual Octagon debut.
